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Bladder infections are known as cystitis or inflammation of the bladder. A man’s chance of getting cystitis increases as he ages due to in part to an increase in prostate size.
Bladder infections are not serious if treated right away. But they tend to come back in some people. This can lead to kidney infections, which are more serious and may result in permanent kidney damage. So it’s very important to treat the underlying causes of a bladder infection and to take preventive steps to keep them from coming back.
In elderly people, bladder infections are often difficult to diagnose. The symptoms are less specific and are frequently blamed on aging. Older people who suddenly become incontinent or who begin acting lethargic or confused can be diagnosed with a bladder infection.
Most bladder infections are caused by various strains of E. coli, bacteria that normally live in the gut. In recent years, more and more bladder infections come from two sexually transmitted bacteria: chlamydia and mycoplasma.
In men, a bladder infection is almost always a symptom of an underlying disorder and is generally a cause for concern. Often it indicates the presence of an obstruction that is interfering with the urinary tract. |
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